At Tarola Plastic Surgery in Murfreesboro, TN, we are passionate about helping our clients feel as confident in their skin as possible. We proudly offer a wide range of cosmetic treatments and procedures, including BOTOX, that can help you reverse the signs of aging in your face and address many other concerns. Today, we’re taking a closer look at botulinum toxin injections, including how they work, how long the results last, and much more.
How Does BOTOX Work?
BOTOX works by preventing your muscles in your targeted areas from contracting too frequently. As your muscles relax, the skin that overlays the treated areas relaxes its wrinkles. Once your skin has smoothed out, you can enjoy a youthful, rhytid-free appearance for several months at a time.
What Concerns Can Be Treated With BOTOX?
Primarily, BOTOX is used for cosmetic purposes. It is often used to eliminate crow’s feet, forehead folds, and frown lines temporarily. However, it can also be used to treat a wide range of medical conditions caused by overactive muscles.
How Long Do the Results of This Treatment Last?
As a general rule, you can expect to enjoy wrinkle-free skin for three to four months. However, there are exceptions to this general rule because many factors affect the longevity of the results. For instance, your skin may only look young and smooth for two months after your first appointment due to the smaller dose of medication administered so we can observe the effects of the drug on your muscles.
On the flip side, it is possible to enjoy BOTOX results for up to six months in some cases. Generally, the more consistently you come in for treatment, the longer your results will last. The longer your muscles are relaxed, the weaker they become. The weaker your muscles are, the longer it will take for them to wrinkle your skin. Other factors include the severity of the concerns you’re treating and how large the treated muscles are.
Will I Need To Take Any Preparation Steps Before Treatment?
The most important preparation step you must take before your anti-aging treatment is to attend an initial consultation to confirm your candidacy for treatment. During this consultation, Dr. Tarola will ensure that this treatment will be safe by discussing your medical history, current health, and current habits.
He will also advise you on everything else you need to do to prepare for treatment. For example, you must stop taking any drugs or supplements that can affect your blood viscosity. Examples of such pharmaceuticals that can negatively affect your treatment include NSAIDs, fish oil supplements, garlic supplements, and MAOIs. You should also refrain from nicotine, alcohol, and excessive caffeine consumption.
What Medical Conditions Are Contraindications for This Treatment?
You will not be able to receive BOTOX injections if you are pregnant or nursing. Additionally, you will not qualify for this treatment if you suffer from a neuromuscular disorder, like Lambert-Eaton syndrome, myasthenia gravis, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Furthermore, you will be disqualified from treatment if you have a skin infection at the intended injection site, and you should not have a history of anaphylaxis.
What Happens During Treatment?
You can expect your treatment to be quick and completely free from pain. You can generally expect your treatment session to take between 10 and 15 minutes to complete. However, your session will take longer if you also need complementary treatments, like dermal filler injections. The length of your treatment session is also affected by the number of areas you’re treating, the size of the areas targeted, and the severity of your concerns.
Before your treatment begins, we will ensure to clean your skin thoroughly to mitigate the risk of an infection. Then, we will administer the injectable muscle relaxant into three to five strategic points in each area of concern. There is no need for the application of a topical numbing cream because we use a tiny needle to administer the prescription drug.
What Happens After Treatment?
After your non-invasive anti-aging treatment, you should be free to return to work the same day. However, you will need to go home and rest for the rest of the day if you have a physically demanding job. For 24 hours after treatment, you must avoid strenuous physical activity, including lifting heavy weights and high-intensity interval training. You must also avoid any other activities that will cause you to sweat.
It is also essential that you avoid lying down for four hours after your injections have been administered. If you lie down too soon after treatment, the muscle relaxant may spread outside of the targeted areas. For the same reason, you need to avoid touching your treated areas for at least four hours post-treatment.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
BOTOX relaxes away wrinkles by reducing the rate at which your targeted muscles contract. This muscle relaxation eventually erases the wrinkles from your skin. Generally, you can expect your session to take between 10 and 15 minutes to complete, and you can generally expect your skin to remain smooth for three to six months. Contact us today at Tarola Plastic Surgery in Murfreesboro, TN to schedule a consultation and learn more.
